Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 0223~2~0 1998-04-21
17080 - USA
CLO8URE ~ITH 8NAP-TYPE ~INGE CAP
This invention relates to closures and particularly to
closures of the type which include a cap that is connected to the
remainder of the closure by an internal hinge.
Back~round and 8ummary of th- Invention
It has heretofore been proposed that closures be
provided for containers wherein the closures on the container by
an integral hinge. Conventionally, such closures rely on tension
on the hinge to produce a snap action. Typical constructions are
shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,628,215, 3,629,901, 3,933,271,
lo 4,047,495 and 4,386,714.
In United States Patent No. 4,638,916, a closure with
a snap type hinge cap comprises a first part adapted to
interengage with the open neck of a container, a second part
forming a cap and an integral hinge interconnecting the first and
second parts comprises a base wall and a peripheral skirt. A
pair of hinge straps extends from the skirts and are positioned
on opposite sides of the integral hinge. The radial length of
the pair of hinge straps is less than the length of the arc
through which the second cap part moves to and from and closed
position relative to the first part such that the pair of straps
stretch to function as springs. The ends of the pair of straps
are attached to the skirts radially inwardly of the periphery of
the skirts.
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In United States Patent No. 5,489,035, there is
disclosed a closure with a snap type hinge cap which comprises
a first part adapted to interengage with the open neck of a
container, a second part forming a cap and an integral hinge
interconnecting the first part and second part. Each of these
parts comprises a base wall and a peripheral skirt. A pair of
hinge straps extend from the skirts on opposite side of the
integral hinge. The ends of the straps are straight and lie in
substantially the same plane when the first part and second part
lo in fully open position. Each strap has a portion intermediate
the ends which extends out of the plane. Each strap is
untensioned when the first part and second part are in fully open
position. The intermediate portions of the straps extend axially
in one direction. In one form, the intermediate portions of said
straps are curved in cross section. In another form,
intermediate portions of said straps are V-shaped in cross
section.
Among the objectives of the present invention are to
provide an improved closure with a snap-type hinge cap like that
20 in Patent No. 5, 489,035 with improved performance and longer
life; which further reduces or eliminates excessive stress on the
straps during opening and closing which might cause breaking; and
which can be made with minimal added cost.
In accordance with the invention, a closure with a snap
25 type hinge cap comprises a first part adapted to interengage with
the open neck of a container and a second part forming a cap.
An integral hinge interconnects the first part and second part.
Each of said parts comprises a base wall and a peripheral skirt.
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A pair of hinged straps are attached to the skirts and extend
from the skirts on opposite side of said integral hinge. Each
strap has a uniform cross section throughout its length between
the points of attachment to the skirt. The end of the straps are
straight and lie in substantially the same place when the first
part and second part are in fully open position. Each strap is
stretched along its length during opening and closing of the
first part and the second part. Each strap has a portion
intermediate the ends which extends out of said plane when the
lo first part and second part are in fully open position. Each
strap has an intermediate portion which is thinner than the ends
of the strap. Each strap is untensioned when the first part and
second part are in fully open position. The intermediate portion
of each strap extends axially downwardly or axially upwardly.
In another form, the intermediate portion includes a transverse
ledge or step at its ends. In a further form, the straps include
a transverse ledge or strap and have the same thickness
throughout.
CA 0223~2~0 1998-04-21
D-scription of the Dr~win~s
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a closure embodying the
invention in open position.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in
Fig- 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken
along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken
along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1.
lo Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the
closure in a closed position.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of
the closure.
Fig. 7 is a sectional elevational view of the closed
closure.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified form of closure in
an open position.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken
along the line 9-9 in Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken
along the line 10-10 in Fig. 8.
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a further
modified form of closure in the open position.
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the
25 closure shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 of another form
of the invention.
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Description of th- Preferred Embo~im-nt~
Referring to Figs. 1-7, the closure 10 embodying the
invention is made of plastic such as polypropylene and comprises
a first part 11 which is adapted to be threaded on the neck of
a container, a second part 12 which forms a cap and an integral
hinge 13 connecting the first part 11 and second part 12.
The first part includes a base wall 14 and a peripheral
skirt 15 with a shoulder 16 at the juncture of the base wall 14
and a peripheral skirt 15. A tubular spout 17 extends from the
lo exterior surface of base wall 14 and terminates in a chamfered
rim 17a. An annular bead 18 is formed on the inner surface of
the spout 17. The skirt 15 is formed with an internal thread 19
on the inner surface thereof for engagement with the threads on
the neck of a container. The spout 17 provides a dispensing
outlet for the contents of a container on which the closure is
applied. An annular integral plug seal 14a extends inwardly from
the base wall 14 for engaging with an internal surface on the
neck of a container.
The second or cap part 12 is formed with a base wall
20 and a peripheral skirt 21. Shoulder 16 is adapted to be
engaged by the free edge of the skirt 21. A cylindrical wall or
plug 22 is provided on the inner surface of the base wall 20 and
is adapted to telescope into the spout 17 when the cap is moved
to closed position. Rib 18 provides a friction fit for plug 22
to both insure a tight seal for the contents of the container and
clean the spout of contents. The friction fit also secures the
second part in closed position.
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Integral hinge 13 has a length several times its width
to provide stability. The hinge 13 has its upper surface in the
plane of the shoulder 16 and the free edge of the skirt 21. The
under side of the hinge 13 is in the form of an inverted V in
radial cross section. Hinge straps 25 are provided, one on each
side of hinge 13. The length of the integral hinge 13 is several
times the width of each of the straps 25.
Each strap 25 extends between a recess 26 on part 11
and a recess 27 on part 12. The end of each strap 25 is
o connected to the recesses 26, 27 horizontally as viewed in Fig.
4.
The configuration of each strap 25 is such that the
straps stretch in operation; i.e., in opening and closing part
12 on part 11.
Each strap 25 has its ends straight and lying in the
same plane when the first part 11 and second part 12 are in fully
open position. In this position, an intermediate portion 25a of
each strap 25 which extends axially out of the plane, herein
shown as upwardly curved (Figs. 3 and 4).
In the modified form shown in Figs. 8-10, corresponding
parts are designated with the suffix "a". This form differs in
that the intermediate portion 2Sb of each strap is V-shaped in
cross section and extends downwardly.
In accordance with the invention, the center portion
25 25 of each strap is made thinner than the ends for about 50% of
its length. The width of each strap is the same throughout. As
a result, each strap stretches more in the thinner intermediate
portion.
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In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12,
corresponding parts have the suffix "c". In this form, the
thinner intermediate portion 2Sc is connected to the remaining
portions or ends of each strap 25 by a step or ledge 30. As a
result, the thickness of the intermediate portion 25c can be
controlled along its entire length, that is, is uniformly along
its length.
In the modified form shown in Fig. 13, the straps have
the outer portion 25d of the same thickness as the ends and
lo include ledges or shoulders 30a.
It can thus be seen that there has been provided a
closure of the snap-hinge type improved performance and longer
life; which further reduces or eliminates excessive stress on the
straps during opening and closing which might cause breaking; and
which can be made with minimal added cost.
